COVID-19 vaccine clinics expanding again in the Southwestern Public Health region
Southwestern Public Health is making updates to its COVID-19 vaccine clinics to prepare to welcome children aged five to 11 and expanded third doses, once these groups become eligible by way of Ontario’s Ministry of Health.
“We will be ready,” says Jaime Fletcher, the Program Manager leading the COVID-19 vaccine efforts in Elgin County, Oxford County, and City of St. Thomas. “We know what is needed to quickly respond to expanded eligibility, and we have the teams and logistics in place again to be ready to serve.”
No timelines have been shared with public health units for when third doses will become more widely available, or when children aged five to 11 will become eligible. However, on October 21, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Canada has procured enough vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech for children once they do. This signaled an important step for health units to begin preparations.
“After Health Canada approves a vaccine, provinces and territories provide direction to health units for how to distribute vaccines locally,” says Dr. Joyce Lock, Medical Officer of Health. “Early planning is needed to ensure we get vaccine out to everyone eligible, as quickly as possible.”
In the meantime, parents and guardians can visit www.swpublichealth.ca/covid19vaccine for credible resources to help make informed decisions about vaccinating their child.
Beginning the week of November 1, Southwestern Public Health will make the following changes:
- Appointments are required at all public health mass immunization clinics. To book, visit www.covidvaccineLM.ca or call 226-289-3560 (9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday to Sunday) or 1-800-922-0096 ext. 9 (8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday).
- Walk-in clinic hours are suspended until further notice.
- Expand capacity in Woodstock at the Goff Hall – Reeves Community Complex clinic (381 Finkle Street, Woodstock).
- Effective November 8, move St. Thomas operations from 1230 Talbot Street to Memorial Arena’s Auditorium (80 Wilson Avenue, St. Thomas). Vaccinations at 1230 Talbot Street to end.
- Pop-up and mobile clinic locations to be announced at a later date.
- Evening and Saturday vaccination options for families will be available after children aged five to 11 become eligible in Ontario.